(Click title to download and listen to the Power Point Presentation by Julia MItchell-Hoffman)

Emotional resilience simply refers to one’s ability to adapt to stressful
situations or crises. More resilient people are able to adapt to stress without
lifelong difficulties, while less resilient people have a harder time with
stress and life ups and downs.

To some degree, emotional and
physical resilience are aspects we are born with. It is part of our temperament and development. I am sensitive while others may not be easily
bothered. I love to get my hands dirty
while others may not enjoy playing in the dirt. Both biological and social factors enter in
to how we deal with stress. It is
important to note that the biological factors are not in our control. Yet emotional resilience, while sometimes
complex, are learned behaviors that can be improved on.

Let’s take a closer look at our options in dealing with the stress we are faced
with. One major step is to take a look
at what has worked in the past but is not useful now in our lives. Being resilient is observing and learning new
ways of coping. Instead of asking “what
is wrong ?” consider “what is wanted or
needed ?” Often we may find ourselves
questioning what needs to be fixed when looking at what is working could
contribute to possible solutions. There
are times we blame others or ourselves instead of giving credit for the
progress that has been made. Being part
of a team allows for collaboration and growth.
As you worked together issues can be divided into smaller, more
realistic and doable steps.

When we apply the Solution Focused
Approach we understand that we need to focus on what we can do something
about. We also admit when something is out
of our control or we decide it is just not doable at this time. When change is useful to us we also need to
own the fact that there is no right way in the way we see the world. We may believe we understand the problem and
yet will need to work at possible solutions.
Sometimes small steps or changes have bigger impact toward finding the
solution. Change is based on focus not
force.

I love Dr. Seuss – He makes it seem
so very simple. We do not need to be
perfect. I want to end this presentation
with words of wisdom that someone special in my life shared with me: “the only way to get through it is to go
through it.”